Hey guys,

I know I'm going to get flamed for this but it is an important matter for me that you guys will be able to help me out with.

As you can see from my join date, I have not been a long time member and I dont even own one but I assure you I am on this site every single night reading almost every single thread and doing nothing but learning about the TL. My dilemma is that I need to buy a new (to me) car very soon, within the next 2 weeks, because my current car has been nothing but a money pit and is slowly on its way out so while it still runs I'm looking to trade it in.

We are looking at cars such as the second gen lexus GS, third gen lexus ES, acura tsx, and of course acura TL.

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2004 TL NBP with 66k on the clock. Me and my father (very mechanically inclined) have looked over this car with a microscope and its condition couldn't be better. The only issue is that he feels that the asking price is a little bit putting it into the category of "not worth the money". The asking price of the car is $14,249 so after all the fees, we are looking at a almost $16,000. I can afford the monthly payments for that but he feels its not worth it. I love my parents and respect every single one of their wishes and when it comes to my father, I listen to him first when it has to do with anything automotive.

My requests are as follows:

1. I need your guys opinion as to whether this car is "worth it" or not. (BTW its a 6spd if that matters. for me a +)

2. What are good points to bring up in conversation about this car because they are leaning on me getting a TSX because the ones that we have found are more affordable from a year, mileage, condition point of view.

misc. notes on car:
-tan interior
-6spd
-2 owner
-no reported accidents or issues that we have been trying to find so to speak.
-dealer serviced entire life.
-passed MA safety inspection every year register in that state. (its whole life)

 

being a 2004 6MT, it's pretty much a rock solid car!

The things you should look for is to see if the recalls have been performed on it. One was the Wipers and the other was the Power-Steering hose. The dealer should be able to tell you if they have. If not, you can use that as a bargaining point with the dealer.

Check the tread on the tires, say for 66K miles it should have new tires for that price. Tell them a new set of GOOD tires is around 800 dollars so take of at least 500 if they are below 6/32nds of tread.

Also looks for scratches and dings, rims esp! Any curb marks can also be used to help deduct some money! Look for VIN stickers on all the body panels, you will see them on doors, hood, trunk, etc.

Have you taken the car for a test drive?

I can understand you not wanting the car being sold from behind you, but if you can, can you post the pictures of the car rather than the link for the car? That'd help us give a better assessment of the car as well and anything that may look odd.

 

Does this TL have Navi? The car is work more with the Navi unit. BTW, welcome to AZ

 

One of my 3G TL's is an '04 manual, as you can tell from my sig. Inspect the rotors and the pads. Look for dusting, or lack of it. If there is dusting and the dust is charcoal in color, most likely the priors used the OEM factory pads. The manual comes standard with Brembo brakes in the front. If there is no or very little dusting, the pads are most likely after market low dust units.

Check the shifter feel. It is loose or sloppy or is it still sure and with a good solid feel to it. Unfortunately, unless there is obvious damage or undue wear to the clutch, you're not going to be able to tell much about that major component. Manual TL's have self adjusting clutches (the pressure plate) and unless there is damage, they work fine up until they stop working or start slipping. You want to check for good take up (initial engagement should occur within the first two inches of travel off of the firewall stop pad), and a definite firm and solid engagement with no slippage or unnecessarily long take up. You also don't want any shuttering or chatter in the clutch when it is initially engaged (a little shuttering is not abnormal on cold or cool humid days when first starting out).

Now for the transmission. Make sure all gears engage positively with no grinding, no popping out of gear after insertion, and no having to fight to get it into gear. Pay particular attention to 3rd gear with this things.

Check for any oil burning. If there is a constant burning, there is a problem with rings. If there is a puff of oil smoke when starting out from a light and then it goes away, you have worn valve seals. Listen to the engine for abnormal valve noise and after a complete warm up, make sure the engine is smooth and steady at idle. Check all hoses and the serpentine belt. And don't forget the CV boots and joints: cuts and cracks for the boots and undue sounds for the joints.

There's other stuff, but that's a good start. Oh, one more thing. Take a close look at the clutch pedal rubber pad. Does it look new or about the same as the brake pedal pad? Is there more wear on an outside corner (left low or high corner) than the rest of the pad? If so, this can indicate that a driver rested his foot on the clutch pedal while driving (very bad). This can also indicate potential abnormal wear to the release bearing.

If I think of anything else, I'll write it. And for the record, my '04 manual TL is solid as a rock. Everything works and works well. So if taken care of, these cars can give excellent service and enjoyment for many years and many miles.

 

KBB in Mass $16225, no nav but looks clean. Check to see what tires they installed, size and rating and if you've been reading, check clutch and trans closely. Other than that, seeing that Dad did an inspection, looks like it's good to go.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

 

I wouldn't pay that much unless it was a-spec packaged w/ nav and everything checks out to SouthernBoy's recommendation.

 

Thanks for all of your help guys. Nav isn't a big thing for me so I dont mind that it doesn't have it. Seeing as the KBB for this car is more than they are asking for it, I should be in good hands.

Another thing I have been having a little bit of difficulty finding is whether the TSX is MORE reliable than the TL. From my understanding, the only benefit I see from owning a TSX instead is that they dont have a timing belt so thats a service I wouldn't have to be bothered with.

I have always known that the TL is rock solid but compared to TSX how hard is the rock?

Thanks again guys for all of your help

 

The day my wife and I went to look at a few '05 TL's, we both took out a TSX first to check it out. We were getting rid of a 328i that she drove and the TSX was around the same size. It is not as solid feeling as the TL and, of course in '05, only had a 4-cylinder engine so there wasn't much torque offered up to the driver. After she drove my '04 manual on the way to the dealer, she was not at all of a mind to go with the TSX.

 

Very interesting. Good news guys. My parents are 100% on board with me getting a TL so they have agreed to let me borrow some money for a good down payment. We have increased our price range a little bit because of their generosity and that opened up a new door of cars that we are looking at tomorrow. I will be keeping you guys updated with what I'm getting. Keep your fingers crossed for me

 

Keep us updated.

 

Hey guys quick update. Today at about 3:45pm I finished signing over all of the paperwork for my new (to me) 2005 Acura TL. The color is Abyss Blue Pearl with grey (ivory) interior. Needless to say, I am ecstatic. This car is everything more than what I thought it was going to be.

I can't wait to start modding.

PS. Yes I will search first before asking the difference between MTF a or b. hahaha. IM HERE TO STAY!!!

 

Congrats!

 

Congrats!
I love my TL except a lot of interior rattles bother me sometimes. It's worse than my old Pontiac Grand Am.

 

GM Synchromesh Friction Modified.

Congrats.

and Welcome

 

I am considering selling my pristine '04 TL with 21K miles....original obsessive owner here and always garage kept in Florida.

So this thread has been helpful to me to figure an asking price.

I haven't decided yet, but I have a relatively new Mercedes, and a Jeep Wrangler. I either need to build a bigger garage or sell a car or two. I live alone so having three cars is a bit much.... especially when the annual insurance bill arrives.

A neighbor of mine is hounding me to sell him the M-B, but it is still in new car guarantee (and up to 100,000 miles/7 years). I have been spoiled by the M-B dealer who does everything but wipe my, er, shoes every time I go in to check something. They have yet to charge me for ANYTHING and even gave me a new set of floor mats when the edge of one mat started to fray.

I am sure you will be happy with your new TL. I look forward to hearing all about it and the mods you will be doing.

Dave

 

^^^ WHAT????????

Say it ain't so Dave!

 

21k miles?!?!

That's insane.

 

Well, yeah. It's been more like garage furniture. I take it out on the weekends to detail it, then a short ride to keep things loose and running. A sample of used oil at every change is sent to a lab for analysis. Engine is still barely broken in.

Those miles include two trips of about 2k each to North Carolina and back. The TL has never seen snow or salt. I don't even take it out if it's raining although I was caught in the rain a few times. Then I have to get under it and wipe down the suspension and belly pans.

I've already changed the tranny fluid twice.

When and if I sell it, the buyer will essentially be getting a "new" 2004 TL.

I have this thought that it could become a desirable collector car in the future something like a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. No one thought that car was anything special at the time. Just a really good looking, practical, fun to drive family car with great performance.

But I don't want to hijack this thread. I'll start another one in Black Market or more appropriate forum if I decide to sell. This thread is about someone else's "new" TL.

 

Awesome..

Just a reminder.. you are coming up the 7 yr mark to change the barely used timing belt.

 

If my garage was as big as my insurance bill, I would keep them all and get a few more! However..... What I don't understand is.... why do I have to pay 3X the premium for liability when the total miles driven (exposure to risk) is the same whether it is all in one car or divided up among 3? I'm the only driver.

With gas headed toward $6/gallon, I need to do some belt tightening.

 

Morning, friend. I took the liberty of checking with KBB for your car with the following assumptions: NAV, manual, excellent condition, and zip code 23301. They report a private selling price of $17,440.

 

Thanks. I was thinking in the neighborhood of $18,000... probably start a little higher and leave room to come down. That's about half what it cost such little use. It's an auto, BTW. There are only two listed for sale on the Internet withing 200 miles. One is just under $15,000 but NO navi and 61k miles.

Also, please visit this thread in the mod forum: https://acurazine.com/forums/moderators-only-20/moderator-im-contacts-362564/